She has received recognition of her works in music, being inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Apollo Hall of Fame, the Songwriters' Hall of Fame as well as the World Music Awards presenting her with the prestigious Legend Award. In 2012 and 2013, LaBelle embarked on the 50th Anniversary Tour, celebrating her years in the music business.
Lady Marmalade
Patti LaBelle Lyrics
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Hey sister, go sister, soul sister, go sister
He met marmalade down in old new orleans
Struttin' her stuff on the street
She said "hello
Hey joe, you wanna give it a go?" mmm, mmm
Itchi gitchi ya ya da da
Itchi gitchi ya ya here
Mocha-choca-lata ya ya
Creole lady marmalade
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?
He sat in her boudoir while she freshened up
The boy drank all her magnolia-wine
On the black satin sheets oh I swear he started to freak
Itchi gitchi ya ya da da
Itchi gitchi ya ya here
Mocha-choca-lata ya ya
Creole lady marmalade
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?
Hey, hey, hey
Touching her skin feelin' silky smooth
The colour of cafe au lait
Made the savage beast inside
Roar until it cried, more, more, more
Now he's back home doing nine to five
Living his grey flannel life
But when he turns off to sleep
Old memories creep, more, more, more
Itchi gitchi ya ya da da da
Itchi gitchi ya ya here
Mocha-choco-lata ya ya
Creole lady marmalade
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?
Voulez-vous couchez avec moi ce soir?
Creole lady marmalade
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?
Voulez-vous couchez avec moi ce soir?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?
Voulez-vous couchez avec moi ce soir?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?
Voulez-vous couchez avec moi ce soir?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?
Itchi gitchi ya ya da da
Itchi gitchi ya ya here
Mocha-choco-lata ya ya
Itchi gitchi ya ya here
The lyrics to Patti LaBelle's "Lady Marmalade" tell the story of a man who meets a woman named Marmalade on the streets of New Orleans. Initially attracted to her confidence and beauty, he agrees to spend the night with her. The lyrics use playful language, such as "Itchi gitchi ya ya da da," and "Mocha-choca-lata ya ya," to suggest the sensuality of the encounter. The chorus, which includes the French phrase "Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?" or "Would you like to sleep with me tonight?" adds to the seductive tone of the song. The rest of the lyrics describe the man's memories of the experience, which continue to haunt him even as he returns to his mundane daily routine.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey sister, go sister, soul sister, go sister
Encouraging a female acquaintance to be confident and true to herself
He met marmalade down in old new orleans
Struttin' her stuff on the street
She said "hello
Hey joe, you wanna give it a go?" mmm, mmm
A narrative about a man meeting a confident woman and her initiating a sexual encounter
Itchi gitchi ya ya da da
Itchi gitchi ya ya here
Mocha-choca-lata ya ya
Creole lady marmalade
Suggestive words and phrases that intensify the sexual nature of the song
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?
The repeated question in French, translated to 'Do you want to sleep with me tonight?', is a direct proposition for sex
He sat in her boudoir while she freshened up
The boy drank all her magnolia-wine
On the black satin sheets oh I swear he started to freak
A description of the man drinking and becoming more sexually empowered while waiting for the woman in her private bedroom
Hey, hey, hey
Touching her skin feelin' silky smooth
The colour of cafe au lait
Made the savage beast inside
Roar until it cried, more, more, more
A depiction of the man becoming increasingly aroused by the woman's appearance and skin color
Now he's back home doing nine to five
Living his grey flannel life
But when he turns off to sleep
Old memories creep, more, more, more
A reflection on the man's mundane, unremarkable life, but with vivid and exciting memories of the sexual encounter
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Kenny Nolan, Robert Crewe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind